Portland cab driver speaks out after brutal attack

PORTLAND (WGME) – Justin Kristiansen, the man who stabbed a cab driver in Portland, entered no plea to one charge of elevated aggravated assault. WGME 13 was told he’s a regular customer of 207 Taxi.

Police don’t know what caused a routine ride to become violent and neither does the man who was driving.

Joe Kamsyz wants everyone to know he’s okay. He said “I know I’m very fortunate and blessed by the Lord above that I’m still here for some reason.” Despite the stitches in his neck and sling around his arm.

Kamsyz stated “All four fingers have a cut that’s probably all the way to the bone.”

The sixty year old has been driving taxis for ten years.

Last Friday morning, he said he was taking a customer to a local strip club when small talk came to a stop and the man suddenly attacked him. Kamsyc said “Both arms were like this. [He] Pulled me back to the headrest and then he said I’m going to cut you.”

Kamsyz stated he begged the man to stop, and in trying to thwart the attack, ended up grabbing the knife. He added “I then accelerated the car which caused him I guess to slide back and over, pulled into the parking lot, pulled in front of the club, opened door, hopped out said I’ve been cut and need help.

When asked if he had any idea why he did what he did? Kamsyz replied “I don’t, I’ve tried rolling through my mind and whatever.”

Kamsyz said he’s never worried about being a target. He stated “I don’t at all this is a pleasant city, people are friendly here.”

And he doesn’t plan to start now. He’ll get back behind the wheel as soon as he’s able. He said “I enjoy what I do, I like helping the public. Get to meet people from all over the world, and get people where they need to go.”